MARTIN HAILS CLUB’S EFFORT

Martin Paterson explained that the Club’s effort and desire to sign him was a crucial factor in his decision to join Huddersfield Town after putting pen to paper on a two year contract on Wednesday.

The 26 year-old Northern Ireland international turned down a number of offers from other Championship clubs to move to West Yorkshire and explained that his discussions with Town’s Manager Mark Robins played a big role in that decision.

He visited Canalside Sports Complex on Tuesday, where he also met Town Chairman Dean Hoyle, and explained:

“First and foremost, Huddersfield is a very good, respected and well run club and when an approach comes, you listen,” Martin told htafc.com.

“The Manager spoke to me and laid out his plans and importantly he talked about playing me in my position as a centre forward, so the decision became a no-brainer.

“That was a big factor in my decision to come here. I spent five years at Burnley and it was a good time, but now it is time to knuckle down and put myself back in the position of being one of the most dangerous strikers in the league. To do that, I need to play up front.

“I have turned down opportunities at some other very good clubs to come here because I believe in what the Manager is saying and I believe in the Club.”

Martin added that the ambition on display at Huddersfield Town impressed him prior to signing.

“Everything you could ever want as a footballer is here. The training ground came as a surprise; it’s brilliant for us to use every day. However, the focus is on the matches on Saturdays and Tuesdays at the Stadium. As much as Canalside is great, we have to produce in the games.

“At this early stage I’m not sure what we can achieve, but the Championship is a league where any team can get close to the top or close to the bottom. As a Club, we have to focus on doing the best we can.”

The former Stoke and Scunthorpe striker is known for his tremendous work rate on the pitch, but he is eager to return to the goal-scoring form that saw him notch 19 when Burnley was promoted to the Premier League in 2008/09.

Martin continued: “When my name is mentioned, people always talk about how hard I work but I want to knit that together with goals. I feel that if I can get out on the field every week in my natural position, it will be a promising year. I played 41 games last season, but I’m looking to play even more this year – and score a lot more goals.”

Martin doesn’t have long to wait until he meets his new teammates, with Town’s First Team back in pre-season training on Thursday.

“I can’t wait to meet the boys – it’s always interesting as a new face! All the work we do in pre-season will be focussed on the first game of the season at Nottingham Forest.”

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